Weltevrede Wine Estate

#wineforgood

Bon Courage Child Care Initiative
In addition to the administrative staff, some 60 people are employed in production at Bon Courage Wine Estate. These team members live with their families on the estate in houses provided for by the farm . Some of the families have lived on this farm for generations; they have their roots here and feel connected to this land. The crèche was opened to accommodate our farm workers' children while they are at work during the day. They make sure that all the children are properly fed and well looked after during the day. In order to empower all our staff with a variety of skills, a Skills Development Center was established in 2007. For André’s wife Irmela, who initiated the development centre and the creche, it is all a matter of taking responsibility and giving people a chance to improve. ”It is about changing people´s lives and to prepare for tomorrow”.
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Rooiberg Winery gives back with their Game Reserve Range
The Game Reserve Range are wines with a cause. For each bottle sold a contribution is made to the Wilderness Foundation. The Game Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is dedicated to the future of the Cape Leopard. One of the most admired yet elusive of Africa's Big Five animals, it is a notoriously shy creature. As an apex predator this big cat is critical to the sustainability of many other species. The Cape leopard may represent a unique subspecies. Seven leopards currently roam the reserve in Robertson.
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Bonnievale Wines and the Universals Rugby Team
By Bonnievale Wines
Bonnievale Wines are proud sponsors of the local Universals Rugby team. The photograph above was taken just prior to their annual derby against the local Young Guns team. Both these teams are comprised of farm workers and wine cellar staff. Very enthusiastic!
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The Jakes Gerwel Entrepreneurial School
By Weltevrede Wine Estate
A vision was dropped in the hearts of the people from Bonnievale. Philip Jonker, owner at Weltevrede Wine Estate subsequently formed the JGE Funding Trust to pursue the vision to heal their community by creating the Jakes Gerwel Entrepreneurial School, a modern two-stream technical school with cutting edge e-learning facilities with a master plan for 1200 learners. Prof Jakes Gerwel was a resilient mediator and peacemaker and the wonderful unity of this team of different backgrounds would have made him proud. Although diverse, the common denominator in them all is a positive transformative spirit to heal South Africa from community level, from its roots.
Most learners from Bonnievale come from under-resourced backgrounds, fatherless homes and broken family structures. Secure character is what made Prof Jakes Gerwel a world changer behind the scenes and apt role model. In this school, the first priority is to invest in the character of the learners.
The trust was determined that this vision not only accommodate the numbers of the poor, but for it to be for a high school of excellence in a 12-hectare (donated by Weltervrede Wine Estate), spacious campus-like atmosphere, with top facilities and inspirational leadership, to heal a total community from a legacy and lifestyle of brokenness and lacking self-worth.
The JGE Funding Trust collaborated with the Western Cape Education Department who funds 40% of the establishment cost and finances the majority of educators. Yet R55 million Rand had to be found from the community and private sector, and the three trustees were tasked to not only raise the funds, but also to manage the building project and to commit to help govern the school in the long run. Added to a long list of practical impossibilities, was the fact that there was a timeline set of less than two years before the school had to be operational. In faith, the team took up the challenge.
In awe-inspiring harmony, the whole community worked together to change their future. By the end of June 2017, the team had raised more than R39m, mainly in the form of local contributions and free or discounted professional services.
The Jakes Gerwel Entrepreneurial School is currently being constructed and an amazing vision is swiftly becoming a reality. The doors of JGE open in January 2018. Amongst the many initial comments of ‘But this can’t be done’ and ‘Impossible’ and ‘You are crazy’, the team was yet to meet the person who has not received this vision with great positivity. In retrospect, all the seemingly impossible factors will simply give depth to this beautiful story of hope.
“Vision sparks hope. Positivity is infectious. Sacrifice is inspirational. When we lead with a can-do attitude and show our commitment by personal sacrifice others will follow,” shared Philip Jonker.
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WACKY WINE WEEKEND RAISES R10,000.00 FOR THE HERBERG AND THUNDERCHILD
By Thunderchild Wines
Robertson Wine valley has recently taken on the Thunderchild project as their official charity partner. This partnership was launched during the Wacky Wine Weekend in June 2017.
The Thunderchild Project was started to address the issues which The Herberg Children’s Home children face. Since 1918 the Herberg Children’s Home has provided a safe haven - originally for children left orphaned by the great Flu Epidemic at the turn of the 20th century, and more recently, for children whose parents are not able to provide adequate care for them.
When the Herberg was established, nearly 100 year ago, a large tract of farmland adjacent to the home was donated in order to provide sustenance to the orphanage. As the years went by, much of this land was sold off for development, and in 2003 only five hectares of old and unprofitable apricot trees remained. With the South African wine industry growing from strength to strength, it was suggested by the Robertson community to replace the dilapidated orchard with vines, and to make a classical red blend to benefit the children. In true country style, the Robertson community came together and established the Wingerdprojek Trust to guide the project from vine to bottle. Local knowledge, expertise, resources, and valuable time was donated, with every aspect of this wine volunteers by the community: plant material, soil preparation, irrigation, maintenance as well as the actual harvesting & making of the wine. The wine is made by sympathetic cellars in the community, while the Wingerdprojek Trust manages the funds and allocation thereof. The 2015 vintage, which is currently available for purchase, has been made by Abrie Bruwer & the team at Springfield Estate, using the same techniques such as whole berry maceration, and natural yeast fermentation, that has made his wines iconic across the world.
100% of the grapes for this blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown on the orphanage grounds, and 100% of the profits are donated to the Herberg in the form of an educational trust, which is managed by the Wingerdprojek Trust, and audited by PWC. The funds generated from the sale of Thunderchild, both locally and internationally, have provided for a full time tutor at The Herberg, school fees for special needs schools such as the De La Bat School for the Blind in Worcester, as well as providing the tuition, accommodation and living expenses for children to attend tertiary education should they qualify. The project aims to entrust the children of the Herberg with the best possible start in their adult lives when they leave the home at the age of 18, such as ensuring that every child has a driver’s license and the opportunity to pursue their full potential.
Robertson Wine Valley integrated this initiative into the Wacky Wine Weekend’s coupon system. A percentage of each coupon handed in by the festival goers at participating cellars was donated to the project, and once the coupons were tallied at the end of the festival, a total of R10 000 was raised for the Thunderchild project. The Herberg Children's Home decided to use the funds to send a talented young boy, Bradley, on a rugby tour through Europe, who would not have been able to seize this opportunity had it not been for the Thunderchild project or the Wacky Wine Weekend fundraising initiative
For almost a century Die Herberg has provided a safe haven for the destitute children. By supporting Thunderchild you support their legacy of caring and empower their future efforts. For more information on Die Herberg please visit www.herberg.co.za
For queries regarding Thunderchild please contact info@thunderchild.co.za.
The Thunderchild red blend can be ordered online at www.thunderchild.co.za or can be found at Springfield Estate, Bon Courage, Rooiberg, Robertson Winery, De Wetshof, Tanagra, Ashton Winery, La Verne and Affie Plaas, as well as from Woolworths nationwide.
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EDUCATION IS AN IMPORTANT FOCUS
“We always think nothing big ever happens in Bonnievale,” begins a letter that arrived in the Bonnievale Wines post box last week. Written by a learner, it followed an educational excursion that Bonnievale Wines helped realise.
The entire Grade 12 classes of Bonnievale High School undertook a sponsored trip to the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town to see Athol Fugard’s My Children, My Africa - a story of generational conflict over the most effective means for ending apartheid in South Africa. “The show was unbelievable. It was a realistic look at a time we would never have understood if it were not for the show,” says the letter-writer. “The story also taught us valuable lessons around kindness to people no matter their background or circumstances.
FACTS AND FIGURES
According to the most recent study on the macro economic impact of the South African Wine Industry Information and Systems (SAWIS), published in 2015, the wine industry:
• Contributed R36 145 million to the annual GDP of South Africa in 2013;
• Supports employment opportunities to the tune of 289 151 in SA. Of this number 55.6% are unskilled, 29.3% semi-skilled and 15% skilled; and
• Generated household income worth R23 579 million, of which R3 994 million is destined for the lower income groups.
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EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT IS KEY
Rowan and Caryl Beattie, owners of Esona Boutique Wine, are fanatical about developing people. Through the Skills Development Fund of Pyrotec, a company owned by the Beattie family with head office in Cape Town, more than 200 individuals are getting tuition in all spheres of life – degrees, diplomas, internships – all over South Africa. Amongst these are the staff at Esona Boutique Wine. At Esona, Hirchill is on a management course, Daneen and Shandré on a chef’s course and Charmaine on a winemaker’s course
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WINE WITH ROOTS - IN THE COMMUNITY
The wine industry is a significant contributor to the South African economy and has been the livelihood of thousands of families for centuries. Go deeper and you’ll also discover that the roots of wineries in their communities go even deeper, especially in Bonnievale. At Bonnievale Wines, it’s not all about work. Every end of year for example, Bonnievale Wines rewards its most productive cellar workers at a prize-giving. The event is followed up with an excursion that in recent years has included a trip to the sea and Table Mountain. At this same time of the year, Bonnievale Wines also hosts a yearly Christmas market as a fund-raiser for the village’s Herfsvreugde retirement home.
Throughout the year however, various community organisations and initiatives see the winery become an ad-hoc supporter. “Wine has always been foremost about people - from harvest to the glass,” says Bonnievale Wines CEO John Barnardt. “It’s an important principle that we embrace as part of our business and as part of our community.”

ELETHU BLACK-OWNED FARM - PAYS DIVIDENDS
The successful 100% black-owned grape farming initiative that benefits Bonnievale Wines workers, is approaching a significant milestone. In May next year the equal shareholding in the 30ha Elethu farm initiative comes to an end and 100% management is transferred to the Bonnievale Workers Empowerment Trust.
The farm is operated in 50/50 collaboration with a commercial farmer. When this agreement comes to an end in May 2018, the Trust will take full responsibility for the farm management, under the continued mentorship of Bonnievale Wines’ management team. John Barnardt, Bonnievale Wines CEO and chairperson of the Trust, says an application has been submitted for funding to plant a further 16ha of grapes next year. This will mainly be cabernet sauvignon.
The trust recently declared a dividend for its 31 beneficiaries from the Elethu (“It is ours”) farm’s 2016 harvest. All the beneficiaries are Bonnievale Wines cellar or farm workers, including the farm manager. The Trust owns the 32ha farm of which 16ha have been planted.

Ashton Winery giving back to the less fortunate: Since 1964, Meals on Wheels Community Services has aimed to serve the basic needs of the poorest of the poor, the vulnerable, the disabled and the elderly in society. Their aim is to bring relief to countries less fortunate and aged and they are currently serving over 2 million meals a month to more than 12 million hungry South Africans. Ashton Winery has been involved with this amazing project for 3 years now and we donate R1.00 for every litre of grape juice sold to assist them in this worthy cause. This year we donated R45 996.75 and hope that it assists in feeding the less fortunate. Please support us by purchasing our grape juice and help us give back to the community.

THUNDERCHILD PROJECT
None of the children in Herberg Children’s Home in Robertson originate from homes and communities where the sun proverbially always shines and where there is always lovely weather.
The THUNDERCHILD PROJECT was started to address the issues which these children face.
The background of our children is characterised by dark and threatening clouds that sometimes creates the feeling of being pushed into the ground. Thunderchild very accurately describes our children in the most beautiful way – the wonderful power of nature. These children are nature’s wonders who fight through the most threatening and thundering clouds – children that overcome the darkness with the light and beauty and power of an electrical storm, in such a manner that we who deal with them, often stand amazed by their ability to shine brightly after darkness, trauma, hurt and longing.
They are in the real sense true Thunderchildren. The vineyard of the Herberg covers five hectares of land in Van Zyl Street adjacent to the home. Friends of the home suggested in 2002 that it would be more profitable to do away with the aged, unproductive apricot orchard and rather plant a vineyard.
Local wine farming knowledge, as well as cellar facilities was made available for the maintenance and the eventual production of wine. The imagination of the Robertson community and individuals from all over was captured by this proposed project. Work was started with great enthusiasm and contributions in the form of fertilizer, soil preparation; plant material, irrigation and trellising, as well as labour and money were made available to launch the project without any costs for the children’s home. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines were planted in 2003 in equal amounts.
The government subsidizes more or less 48% of the monthly expenses of every child in the children’s home. The rest of the expenses must be fundraised by the home on a monthly basis.
The profit of the wine sales will benefit the income of the home, so that it will be possible to cater optimally for the all-encompassing care needs of every child.
Contact (023) 626 3661 or email info@thunderchild.co.za or visit their website: www.herberg.co.za

Powered by our People
Our aim to achieve ‘Nothing Less Than the Best’ in our wines applies equally to our commitment to the farming communities on whose support we rely. Our investment in long term strategies to educate and empower not only those within the Graham Beck team and their families, but in our wider communities, is an investment in our future growth and sustainability. Personal enrichment of employees, whose dedication and loyalty are the power behind our positioning as a world class brand, is a cornerstone of our social philosophy. Integral to this approach is the belief that they are more than mere staff members or workers - every single employee is in fact seen as a part of the Graham Beck Enterprises Family. A number of exciting projects are offered to our staff in which training and upliftment feature prominently. Our local farming communities are home to our most important resource and one of our most critical responsibilities: our people. In global farming communities, there is historically a considerable gap between services and needs. Our programs, however, aim to educate, empower, nurture and enrich; meeting needs in a practical way and equipping our local communities with the skills to effect sustainable change.

THE GRAHAM & RHONA BECK DEVELOPMENT TRUST
Through the Graham & Rhona Beck Development Trust (GRBDT) Graham Beck Enterprises has contributed significantly to the development of the local communities within the Langeberg Municipal region (situated in the Robertson Wine Valley) in the areas of Education, Skills Development, Arts, Sports as well as in the Healthcare/Wellbeing and Housing requirements of our own employees.

RESTORING FAITH
Edge of Life Fund is based in South Africa and our social responsibility is directed towards marginalized individuals mostly in rural or forgotten areas. Our priorities are restoring identity, self-esteem and rebuilding family structures. We support those projects that care for the individual, for we believe everyone has an identity. A value. An ability. A name. The Edge of Life funds are distributed to the following projectsFezile Futhela – An indivudual who wanted to study at Elsenburg agricultural College in Stellenbosch. This dream has become a reality thanks to Edge of Life10 Aspiring dancers from the Bonnievale Community could join the local dance school and possible pursue a career in dance. Their classes, clothes and competition fees are paid by Edge of Life. www.danzalavida.co.za Kings Church International cares for almost 1 000 kids from the Roberston Wine Valley by feeding, clothing, teaching and loving them every Sunday. Edge of life contributes to this initiative. www.kcionline.co.za

THE BECK FAMILY LEGACY
Chris du Toit Graham Beck Enterprises CEO fondly remembers his discussions with the late Rhona Beck – wife of founder Graham Beck and inspirational matriarch of this pioneering South African wine industry family. “She was passionate about so many things – the arts, culture, conservation and the environment, but first and foremost about empowering and uplifting our employees and the broader Robertson community,” explains Chris. The Beck family has created a lasting legacy of building a better future for and with the people they interact with, whether that is within their business model or on a basic human level. “Rhona would always pose the question: how do we develop our people, each and every individual to their full potential? The need could be as simple as providing basic literacy skills, aftercare for the children or health care, or as focused as carving out a specific career path for an individual,” says Chris. With this in mind the family has structured their commitment to the objective of sustainability (whether it be in profit, people or the planet i.e. business, staff development and farming in harmony with nature) not based on legislative requirements or to have a triple bottom-line to impress, but because they sincerely believed it was the right thing to do. The legacy of “apartheid” in South Africa demands a very different approach from normal first world countries. It requires healing, nurturing, coaching and supporting to build dignity, self-respect and the ability to be independent. The Beck Family commitment has at its cornerstone the following Social and Ethical Philanthropic Trusts: The Graham and Rhona Beck Foundation, The Clive Beck Educational Trust and The Graham & Rhona Beck Development Trust (which spearheads the Graham and Rhona Beck Skills Centre and all Graham Beck Enterprises’ Conservation Projects, such as The Conservation Management Plan which has inspired neighbouring farms to follow suit with regards to biodiversity initiatives and rehabilitation of the natural environment).

THE GRAHAM & RHONA BECK DEVELOPMENT TRUST: EDUCATION
The Company recognizes the critical role that education will play in the transformation of South Africa as we want to participate and become increasingly competitive in the global economy. Education and skills development is provided for the benefit of children of all ages including Early Childhood Development, Pre-Primary Schools; Primary schools; High Schools and Adults education in the form of bursaries and skills development initiatives. Early Childhood Development includes aftercare facilities which are responsible for aftercare (including holiday activities and learning) for 90 children between the ages of 5 -13 years. Daily meals are provided for all the children of the crèche and aftercare. The Anna Foundation assists the teachers of both the crèche and aftercare with curriculum development and support via their 3 R’s programme. Currently the GRBDT financially assists children of all the employees of Graham Beck Enterprises with school fees which includes hostel fees as well as a school bus service to take children from the farm to the school and back on a daily basis. Bursaries are furthermore provided for studies at Bridgehouse Private School in Franschhoek.

TTHE GRAHAM & RHONA BECK DEVELOPMENT TRUST: BURSARY SCHEME
The objective of the Graham & Rhona Beck Development Trust Bursary Scheme is to recruit and select bursars for full time study at accredited Tertiary Institutions. The Trust seeks to attract talented youth from our community to acquire the appropriate skills, knowledge and qualifications and full-time bursaries are awarded annually according to the employment needs of the company and the community we serve. All our full-time students are viewed as potential employees – depending on vacancies being available after successfully completing their qualifications. The comprehensive bursary for tertiary education covers the following: tuition fees, accommodation, travelling, meals, book allowance and experiential training (if needed and available). Another vital service which is supplied is Career Guidance (in the form of study skills, psychometric assessment, career counseling, information sessions and job shadowing).

THE GRAHAM & RHONA BECK DEVELOPMENT TRUST: CONSERVATION AWARENESS
The Graham and Rhona Beck Development Trust also promotes Conservation Awareness. By teaching our community that the physical environment is fragile and indispensable, we can begin fixing the problems that threaten it and protect scarce resources e.g. water conservation. By financially supporting the Rooiberg Breederiver Conservancy (region from Goreeshoogte outside Robertson to the Nuy Valley including the Langeberg and Rooiberg Mountains, and the Breede River to the south) the Trust assists the area in their aim to support sustainable resource utilization, as well as the conservation of fauna and flora and their habitats in the Rooiberg Breede River Conservancy for the benefit of present and future generations (through active participation, communication and education).

THE GRAHAM & RHONA BECK DEVELOPMENT TRUST: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SCHOOLS
The GRBDT also focuses on improving school governance structures and teacher development (including school infrastructure development). The GRBDT has financially adopted some of the more impoverished schools in the area to address problem areas. Langeberg Secondary School in Robertson as well as some of the primary farm schools are currently being financially assisted.

THE GRAHAM & RHONA BECK DEVELOPMENT TRUST: SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
The Graham & Rhona Beck Skills Centre (established in 2008 on the Graham Beck Robertson Estate) provides essential training opportunities and important life skills to a community which has in the past lacked adequate resources and facilities to generate this type of enrichment. The groundbreaking Skills Centre (the first of its kind in this region) has been designed and planned with a holistic approach in mind, operating as a rural facilitation and skills training facility aimed at developing the human resource base of the Breede River Winelands area. Skills development has been identified as one of the most important requirements in developing people in order to alleviate poverty and contribute to economic growth in South Africa. The Graham & Rhona Beck Skills Centre equips trainees with valuable skills to compete in the open market, while stimulating personal growth and improving their self-confidence. The Centre acts mainly as a facilitator matching training supply and demand.

THE GRAHAM & RHONA BECK DEVELOPMENT TRUST: MUSIC & DANCE
The Graham & Rhona Beck Development Trust (GRBDT) together with other role-players in the music arena established a music academy for the youth since public schools for the mainly previously disadvantaged do not accommodate music as a subject. Together with the financial assistance of the GRBDT the tuition in music includes: the teaching of various music instruments, music theory, forming of bands and district choirs and participation in concerts and festivals. Together with the establishment of the music school and academy, the need to also establish a prestige community youth choir was envisaged. In June 2014 local youth between the ages of 14-18 formed a community choir to showcase the vocal excellence of our area, develop constructive ways to use leisure time/counteract boredom, develop life skills, perform at social functions and participate in local competitions and fundraising events. The GRBDT supports the choirs by assisting with transport and practicing facilities. The Langeberg Ad Libitum Youth Choir and concert Band (towards which GRBDT sponsors R500K) have improved in leaps and bounds. The Ad Libitum Academy of Music’s Jazz Ensemble recently had the opportunity to perform at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town as part of the prestigious annual Cape Town Big Band Festival. They also had an opportunity to perform at the annual Achoired Taste showcase held in Cape Town alongside some of the best choirs in the country. Graham Beck Wines and the GRBDT were significant sponsors of this event. The Agapé dance group practices weekly and regularly performs at church and community functions. Participation in the dance group enhances character building, discipline, positive self-image and social behavior for these youngsters.

The GRAHAM & RHONA BECK DEVELOPMENT TRUST: SPORTS
The GRBDT supports the development of youth through the participation in constructive and creative activities associated with sports. This in turn develops potential in a particular skill, improves and increases self-esteem, constructively utilizes leisure time and promotes problem-solving methods. Sports currently being developed at Graham Beck Enterprises are Dominoes, Soccer, Cricket, Rugby and Netball.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S (FAMILY) DEVELOPMENT OUTREACH PIC: FAMILY
The Graham & Rhona Beck Development Trust (GRBDT) facilitates support groups for men and women for emotional and personal development in partnership with Hearts of Men. These programmes also focus on girls and boys to assist them as part of the family structure to make informed, responsible choices regarding education, sexuality and the abuse of alcohol and drugs. These support groups help family members (young and old) to understand their role and function not just in the family but also within the community as a whole as the restorers of social and moral value systems.

SENIOR CITIZENS
Currently three workers from the Community Development Forum represent senior citizens which organize two yearly functions where transport and financial aid is provided by the GRBDT. Health workers do regular visits and attend to basic hygiene and clinic schedules for the elderly.

FOOD GARDENS - HIGHLANDS STUD VEGETABLES (HI-VEGS)
Employees from Highlands Stud Farm are being assisted with a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment initiative which focuses on vegetable production. The initiative had its first harvest in 2007 and is selling produce to farm workers, the after-care and crèche. Highlands Stud has made available the field and implements needed for production, whilst seeds etc. are bought from the profits. The GRBDT will provide financial assistance and other business related mentoring opportunities.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE - LSAAG (LANGEBERG SUBSTANCE ABUSE ACTION GROUP)
The Langeberg community has been concerned about the increase of substance abuse within their region and the harmful effect that it has on youth as well as parents. Collaboration was seen as the key to successfully address the challenges of alcohol and drug addiction, which led to the establishment of LSAAG (Langeberg Substance Abuse Action Group) as a centralised and coordinated approach to manage and monitor all existing and future interventions and services. The focus is on addressing reduction in substance abuse within the community and involving youth and adults through programs such as youth workshops and camps, counseling and support, parent and youth information sessions, farm worker programs, spiritual guidance, sport and cultural programs as well as FAS focused programmes. LSAAG is built on three pillars, i.e. awareness, treatment and aftercare. A designated person was appointed to liaise, coordinate and manage all the activities related to LSAAG and is currently funded by the GRBDT.

TAKING HANDS
At Esona, we take a hands-on approach when it comes to the fair and ethical treatment of our close-knit team of farm workers. When we purchased the land, we invested in better living conditions for our staff, renovating comfortable cottages for them and their families on-site. We also installed solar water cylinders to reduce their cost of living as well as their impact on the environment. In order to provide our team with better food security and an additional source of income, we have set aside some land for them to grow their own fresh produce. This produce is sold locally and our farm workers keep 100% of the profits. We invest in the career development of our tasting venue team. Many of them have little formal education, but we provide them with the training and mentorship they need to develop their skills and knowledge of the hospitality and wine industries. We recently sent two key staff members on a Basic Business Course and are hosting a third for Wine Service Training Programme.

CREATING A BETTER FUTURE
Rietvallei offers all farmworkers the peace of mind that their children are being educated and taken care of in a safe environment. Rietvallei started the crèche in 2015 to assist their working parents. The farm offers full day care to children from the age of Newborn to 4 years. Aftercare is available too for children already attending school.The crèche gives the kids a balanced breakfast each morning. Tessa, our qualified caregiver has done her first level in Early Childhood Development and is continuing her studies. Just like healthy minds are healthy bodies also important to us, so we work together with the local clinic sister to keep the children’s vaccines updated

Weltevrede Wine Estate

The Jakes Gerwel Entrepreneurial School

By Weltevrede Wine Estate

A vision was dropped in the hearts of the people from Bonnievale. Philip Jonker, owner at Weltevrede Wine Estate subsequently formed the JGE Funding Trust to pursue the vision to heal their community by creating the Jakes Gerwel Entrepreneurial School, a modern two-stream technical school with cutting edge e-learning facilities with a master plan for 1200 learners. Prof Jakes Gerwel was a resilient mediator and peacemaker and the wonderful unity of this team of different backgrounds would have made him proud. Although diverse, the common denominator in them all is a positive transformative spirit to heal South Africa from community level, from its roots.

Most learners from Bonnievale come from under-resourced backgrounds, fatherless homes and broken family structures. Secure character is what made Prof Jakes Gerwel a world changer behind the scenes and apt role model. In this school, the first priority is to invest in the character of the learners.

The trust was determined that this vision not only accommodate the numbers of the poor, but for it to be for a high school of excellence in a 12-hectare (donated by Weltervrede Wine Estate), spacious campus-like atmosphere, with top facilities and inspirational leadership, to heal a total community from a legacy and lifestyle of brokenness and lacking self-worth.

The JGE Funding Trust collaborated with the Western Cape Education Department who funds 40% of the establishment cost and finances the majority of educators. Yet R55 million Rand had to be found from the community and private sector, and the three trustees were tasked to not only raise the funds, but also to manage the building project and to commit to help govern the school in the long run. Added to a long list of practical impossibilities, was the fact that there was a timeline set of less than two years before the school had to be operational. In faith, the team took up the challenge.

In awe-inspiring harmony, the whole community worked together to change their future. By the end of June 2017, the team had raised more than R39m, mainly in the form of local contributions and free or discounted professional services.

The Jakes Gerwel Entrepreneurial School is currently being constructed and an amazing vision is swiftly becoming a reality. The doors of JGE open in January 2018. Amongst the many initial comments of ‘But this can’t be done’ and ‘Impossible’ and ‘You are crazy’, the team was yet to meet the person who has not received this vision with great positivity. In retrospect, all the seemingly impossible factors will simply give depth to this beautiful story of hope.

“Vision sparks hope. Positivity is infectious. Sacrifice is inspirational. When we lead with a can-do attitude and show our commitment by personal sacrifice others will follow,” shared Philip Jonker.